Best Scuba BCDs of 2021
When it comes to dive gear, if you are an odd size and want to make sure you are comfortable on a dive, then you are going to have to get your own BCD. Not all dive shops have every size, let alone BCDs made for woman, so to make sure you have the perfect dive, just bring your own, that’s perfect for you!
Besides that, if you are diving with a new dive operator, you really don’t know how good or bad the quality of the equipment really is. I’ve done dives where the BCD didn’t fit well, the weight pockets fell out easily, dump valve cords were missing, inflators didn’t work, and much more. It can really ruin your dives.
If you are afraid of traveling with such a big, bulky load, well you really don’t need to be. On this list there are a few great options for travel BCDs, that are super light weight and even foldable, that you will love.
Thats what this guide is for. There are a lot of dive BCDs out there, and this guide is meant to make it easy to find your best possible match, based on budget, skill level, preference and more. If you can’t find something perfect for you here, I don’t know where else you will!
BCD Reviews
Scubapro Hydros Pro
ScubaPro is an awesome company and make many BCDs, but the Scubapro Hydros Pro one is one of my favorites of the year. It has tons of features and comforts, and is good for all levels. There is also a woman’s version.
BEST FOR: Recreational divers, tec divers
Weight: 11.4 lb | 5.17 kg
Configuration: Back inflation, integrated weight pockets
FEATURES: No Velcro or zippers, body grip gel, gel harness
PROS: Tons of features, instant dry materials, many colors.
CONS: Heavy for travel and expensive
Hollis is one of my favorite brands for tec diving and advanced recreational gear. These guys focus on that, and are king . The Hollis L.T.S (Lite Travel System) is a weight integrated back inflation design thats awesome fro travel.
BEST FOR: advanced divers, traveling
Weight: 5 pounds (2.27 kg)
Configuration: Back inflation, integrated weight pockets
FEATURES: 30 lbs (13.6 kg) of lift, lightweight design
PROS: Perfect for travel, comfortable, affordable, d-rings
CONS: Limited size weight pockets (around 10-12lbs total)
Hollis HD-200
The Hollis HD 200 is the more heavy duty version of the L.T.S above, offering a bigger jacket with more lift, a nylon waist strap and more weight pocket space. This is an awesome BCD for everyday use.
BEST FOR: Recreational divers, tec divers
Weight: 9.4 lbs (4.3 kg)
Configuration: Back inflation, integrated weight pockets
FEATURES: comfort molded backpad, durable design
PROS:30 lbs (13.6 kg) of lift, comfortable, affordable, d-rings
CONS: Heavy for travel
Check out current prices on: Amazon
The Cressi Patrol from is probably the best BCD on offer from Cressi, and it’s a good one. This light weight, rear inflation BC is built for comfort, and any diver would be happy with it as their daily diver.
BEST FOR: Recreational divers
Weight: 5.7 lbs. to 6.5 lbs. (2.6 kg to 2.9 kg)
Configuration: Back inflation, integrated weight pockets
FEATURES: Ultralight rigid backplate, Lightweight, high lift
PROS: 30-50 lbs of lift, comfortable, very affordable
CONS: Not sure?
Mares Hybrid AT
Here is a great jacket style BCD from Mares, that is super cheap. The Mares Hybrid AT is a good BCD for all levels, and dive shops like the shoulder inflator version for training.
BEST FOR: Recreational divers
Weight: 4kg (size L) 9.5Lbs
Configuration: Jacket style , integrated weight pockets
FEATURES: Jacket style& foldable, lightweight, Airtrim inflator
PROS: Super cheap, great company
CONS: ?
Check out current prices on: Amazon
The Aqua Lung Lotus i3 back-inflator style BCD was specifically designed for woman, and we can’t say enough about it. It is probably the best woman’s BCD we have ever tried. It folds and is good for travel, light, and maybe the perfect BCD.
BEST FOR: Recreational and tec woman
Weight: 7.25 lb – 7.6 lb
Configuration: Back inflation, integrated weights, side inflater
FEATURES: Woman’s Wrapture Harness System, octo-pocket
PROS: Built high quality, great weight system, great materials
CONS: New divers need practice with inflator/deflator
Aqua Lung Dimension i3
The Aqua Lung Dimension i3 is a feature-rich, back inflation style BC that incorporates Aqua Lung’s patented i3 inflation/deflation system. This is basically the mens version of the incredible Lotus (above), and one of the best BCDs on the planet.
BEST FOR: Recreational and tec
Weight: 7.25 lb – 7.6 lb
Configuration: Back inflation, integrated weights, side inflater
FEATURES: Wrapture Harness System, octo-pocket
PROS: Built high quality, great weight system, great materials
CONS: New divers need practice with inflator/deflator
The Aqua Lung Axiom i3 is the BCD I use now, and I love it. Can’t say enough good things about it, except that it really is awesome. The one complaint I would have is how bulky it is, for all my travels. But I preferred this over nearly all others.
BEST FOR: Recreational and tec
Weight: 8.37 lbs (3.8 kg)
Configuration: Back inflation, integrated weights, side inflator
FEATURES: Wrapture Harness System, octo-pocket
PROS: Built high quality, great weight system, great materials
CONS: New divers need practice with inflator/deflator
Zeagle Ranger LTD
The Zeagle Ranger LTD BCD is equipped with Personal Fit System Modular Sizing. The PFS allows for a custom fit and lets you change out specific sections of the BC. It also has adjustable elastic waist panels and a lumbar pad that is permanently mounted in the rear of the vest section.
BEST FOR: Recreational
Weight: 9.5Lbs (4.3Kg)
Configuration: Back inflation, integrated weights
FEATURES: Tough and durable, rapid deflation
PROS: Really great design, good for all levels. Very adjustable
CONS: Expensive, heavy
Check out current prices on: Amazon
So what BCD should you choose?
Still not sure what one to go with, with all these great options? There are a few factors to consider when choosing the perfect BCD for you, so lets go through those, and then I will just give my recommendations and all time favorites, that you cant go wrong with.
YOUR BUDGET
Obviously you should think about your budget, check the prices in the links above, and that will be a big factor. But obviously since there are a lot of options around the same prices, there will be more factors to think about.
HOW OFTEN WILL YOU DIVE?
If you are diving frequently, are a Divemaster or instructor, you are going to want a good BCD that will last, as well as one that matches your skill level. If you are diving a few times a year, you don’t need the most top of the line.
WHAT IS YOUR QUALIFICATION LEVELS?
Most of you reading this will be recreational divers, and do not need something very technical. And just remember that if you get one with a side inflator, you need to do a couple practice dives with it, as it is dangerous to not be familiar with where your inflator/deflator is located in an emergency. But once you get use to it, you’ll love it. But, if you are an instructor, you need a regular inflator hose, as you will be demonstrating it to students.
So what do I recommend?
I can not say enough good things about Aqua Lung BCDs (although I love all the companies above). From my very first ever dive, I started with a super simple and cheap Aqua Lung Wave. It’s a simple, no weight integration, and every dive shop has loads of them as they are cheap. It’s all a new diver needs. 
Once I got a few dives under my belt, I upgraded to a Axiom i3. I think that is almost the perfect BCD. The only complaints I have is that I travel a lot and it weighs over 9 pounds dry, and it is kind of expensive. But it is top of the line, comfortable and great, so I deal with the luggage weight.
Really soon I would like to try out the Dimension i3, as it might be a little lighter to travel with, but I don’t know if it’ll be much better underwater. But you can’t go wrong with either.
As you can tell I really love Aqua Lung, but I also think Scubapro and Hollis are awesome too, I just don’t have as much experience with those BCDs So my advice is, if you ca afford it, go for the best and get Aqua Lung. I even use their dive computers, and it’s an awesome company.
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